Page 6 June 28, 2018 EL SEGUNDO HERALD
Entertainment
Check It Out Film Review
Welcome to Wonderland: Home
Sweet Motel by Chris Grabenstein
Reviewed by Katrena Woodson,
Teen and Young Reader Librarian,
El Segundo Public Library
This week’s review is of Chris Grabenstein’s
book, Welcome to Wonderland: Home Sweet
Motel. Grabenstein is the author of the New
York Times Bestselling Escape from Mr.
Lemoncello’s Library. In the past he has
collaborated with James Patterson on children’s
books such as the I Funny series. Welcome
to Wonderland: Home Sweet Motel is perfect
for young readers who enjoyed either of the
series I mentioned above. I would highly
recommend this book to 8-12-year-old readers.
P.T. Wilkie is a 12-year-old boy who
absolutely loves the Wonderland Motel in
Florida where he lives with his mother and
grandfather. The motel was originally opened
by P.T.’s grandfather, who is responsible for
the “zany decorations” and known to tell a tall
tale or two. P.T. believes that the Wonderland
Motel is positively the best place a kid could
live. Considering that there is a snack machine
in the living room, a frog slide and -- most
importantly -- all-you-can-eat poolside ice
cream, I think I’d have to agree with him
there. However, Wonderland doesn’t have
many customers and it is in a bit of trouble
financially. When Gloria and her father
check into Wonderland, an outrageous plan
to save the motel is hatched. Moreover, when
two elderly jewel thieves come looking for
diamonds they lost at Wonderland years ago,
P.T. and Gloria decide this is their chance
to save the motel. This book is quirky and
upbeat. It is full of laughs and some mystery
as well as a bit of danger. Grabenstein has
delivered another book that is sure to have
young readers cracking up and eagerly
awaiting the next installment of the series.
The El Segundo Public Library offers
access to its collection of titles in a variety
of formats, including traditional hardback,
e-books and books on CD. To check out
Welcome to Wonderland: Home Sweet Motel
by Chris Grabenstein, or any other title on
your to-read list, please visit the library to
apply for your library card, or please contact
the reference staff for further assistance.
Welcome to Wonderland: Home Sweet Motel by Chris Grabenstein.
Katrena Woodson.
Robert Pattinson Is a Quirky
Cowboy in Western Spoof Damsel
By Morgan Rojas
for www.cinemacy.com
Fresh off the heels from starring in the Safdie
brothers’ stylish crime drama Good Time,
Robert Pattinson finds himself working with
another set of director brothers to show off
his more comedic side in the wacky Western
Damsel. Trading cool for kooky, Pattinson
plays a man desperate to be reacquainted with
his one true love, despite the physical – and,
as we find out, emotional – distances between
them. David and Nathan Zellner, collectively
referred to as “The Zellner Brothers,” bring
this light-hearted send-up to the big screen,
now playing at the Nuart Theatre.
Samuel Alabaster (Pattinson) is a man on
a mission. With an engagement ring in one
hand and a miniature horse on a leash in
the other, he has traveled to a small, dusty
Western town to enlist the help of Parson
Henry (David Zellner) -- the local pastor who
also happens to be the town drunk. While the
exact details of the journey remain unclear
(or may not yet be fully revealed), Parson,
who is not one to turn down monetary compensation,
agrees to follow Samuel on this
mission. After traveling for days on horseback,
Samuel finally explains to Parson that he is
en route to rescue his fiancée Penelope (Mia
Wasikowska) from her evil kidnapper so he
can marry her and live happily ever. The only
problem is, once the duo reaches Penelope,
it turns out that not everyone is on the same
page -- namely, Penelope. From here, it’s a
comedy of errors as Parson attempts to piece
everything together on his own while the situation
unfolds very quickly. No one is safe,
no one is certain of what is going on, and
no one wants to be where they are.
Damsel has the structure of a good comedy
– its deadpan delivery evokes the humor of
Wes Anderson and its silliness is one whiskey
shot away from being another ¡Three
Amigos! or A Million Ways to Die in the
West. However, Damsel‘s biggest flaw is
that it feels awkwardly split into two very
distinct acts: the first being Samuel’s journey
up the mountain to find Penelope, and the
second being Penelope’s journey back down
the mountain to independence. However,
there is little-shared overlap in the middle.
We initially become so invested in Samuel’s
story (who himself is a delightful character)
that when the focus and story shifts to Penelope
(who unfortunately isn’t as cartoonish
a character as Samuel), she seems resigned
to swat away the advances of every male she
encounters like flies. This creates somewhat
of a disappointing end.
There is no denying that Damsel is in a
league of its own and that the Zellner brothers
have effectively combined modern deadpan
comedy with old Western tropes to transcend
time periods. However, while it’s clear that
Penelope may not need help finding her way
out of a messy situation, this Damsel could
use just a little bit more saving.
113 minutes. Damsel is rated R for some
violence, language, sexual material, and
brief graphic nudity. Now playing at the
Nuart Theatre. •
Damsel, Courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
Morgan Rojas.
Herald Publications will be Closed on Wednesday, July 4.
Enjoy the day with your family and friends.